My experience as a woman navigating the private mental health system is that therapists, psychiatrists, etc are basing their diagnoses on studies done primarily using male subjects. in other words, women are frequently misdiagnosed with mental illnesses because there are few studies that focus on female symptoms and affectations of mental disorder.
I had been diagnosed with bipolar, major depression, seasonal affective disorder, and general anxiety prior to 2008. Each therapist had different treatment methods to recommend, different prescriptions to try, and a different diagnosis based on the same basic symptoms.
It has changed my life, my career, my relationships, my family, my home. I no longer feel something is "wrong" with me, just that my brain works differently and (quite honestly) I'm just a little quicker on the uptake than most people. I can think through consequences for the first time in my 31 years of life, and make decisions based on predictable outcomes rather than impulsive, adrenaline-driven decision making leading to disaster. My confidence is markedly improved, I feel comfortable in social situations, and my moods are more stable than they've ever been.
I never would have considered ADD a potential problem for me if I paid attention only to the mainstream ideas about ADD symptoms...this is not just a diagnosis for hyperactive little boys acting out in classrooms.
I wish I could erase the last ten years of crappy psychotherapy, prescriptions for lithium, sleeping pills, anti-depressants that produced more harm than good. I am however SO grateful for the opportunity to start a new life being properly treated for my condition and empowered to learn and teach other women about ADD.
If your intuition is telling you to get a second opinion, do some research on your own, and go to a trusted physician who knows you for help first. Some red flags that you are misdiagnosed or should seek help elsewhere:
-your doctor minimizes your symptoms or thinks there is nothing wrong
-your doctor is reluctant to prescribe certain types of medications that are approved by the FDA (often based on the Dr's personal beliefs more than science)
-your doctor doesn't seem to have time to explain your diagnosis to you, or review your full case file with you
-your doctor prescribes multiple medications to treat the same symptoms
-you find yourself lying or stretching truth to agree with the doctor's opinions (women tend to be people pleasers - don't please your doctor too)
-you are taking prescriptions to treat side effects of other prescriptions (i.e. taking sleeping pills to counteract medications that keep you awake later)
If any of these apply, get another opinion ASAP!
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment2 Comments
Anon, I loved -- and hated -- reading your post. I loved that you finally figured out what was going on and have been able to move forward with your new life, but I hate what you had to go through to arrive there.
You are living proof that we must, in today's world especially, be our own best advocates when it comes to our physical and mental health. It's not enough to make an appointment and go to the doctor; we also need to listen, ask questions, do some research, and be willing to go back and ask some more questions.
Have you been able to stop any or all of the other prescriptions you were on? Was that difficult for you?
February 17, 2009 - 9:53amThis Comment
Anon, I just love your post. You've really hit the nail on the head -- yes, we women are so often given prescriptions for anti-depressants and brushed aside when the root cause of our issues most likely has nothing to do with depression. (Of course, we may end up depressed simply because we're left misdiagnosed and floundering.)
It's also so true that we often work so hard to agree with our doctors and to be the best patients in the world just because we tend to be people pleasers. I've been guilty of that many times. Plus, I tend to be in a hurry -- if I'm ailing in some way, I want to be given the "magic pill," and fast, so I can get on with my busy life.
I'm so happy to hear that you were able to figure out what your true diagnosis is, and to get the help you needed. That's what EmpowHer's all about -- empowHering women with the information and resources they need to take charge of their health care and have healthier lives. We've got to be the ones to take care of ourselves -- we can't rely on doctors, or anyone else for that matter, to handle that job for us. You must feel so good about yourself that you were able to pick yourself up after ten years of being bounced around in the system and being on the wrong medication. I really admire you for sticking in there and solving the mystery that was plaguing you for so long. You rock!!
February 16, 2009 - 11:27amThis Comment